Low Levels Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Research Articles

Cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition of stimulant users: A baseline analysis of the STRIDE cohort

IntroductionRelatively little has been reported about the physical characteristics, such as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition, of stimulant users. Identifying risk factors associated with the physical health of stimulant users is an important public health issue as new treatments should better address the entire range of health concerns experienced by this population. MethodsWe examined cross-sectional data gathered at baseline from the STimulant Reduction Intervention using Dosed Exercise (STRIDE) study, a multisite randomized clinical trial that examined exercise as an adjunct to treatment as usual for individuals in residential treatment programs (RTPs). Clients were approached after intake to the RTP. Prior to randomization, eligible individuals underwent a comprehensive screening process that included medical screening, where CRF was assessed through a maximal exercise test (time on treadmill), and a series of baseline examinations assessing domains of substance use and mental health. ResultsData from 295 individuals with recent stimulant use disorders were analyzed. The mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and for all participants was 27.8±5.7kg/m2 and 93.5±14.2cm, respectively, while the mean time on treadmill was 13.7±2.9min. Few significant associations were observed between CRF, BMI, or WC and substance use and mental health measures. ConclusionsStimulant users in this study presented with low CRF levels and would be considered overweight based on their BMI. These individuals would likely benefit from interventions that address both their stimulant use, as well as their physical health.

Hyperuricemia is associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels and excess weight in schoolchildren

ObjectiveTo evaluate the possible association between hyperuricemia and cardiorespiratory fitness levels/nutritional profile, grouped into a single variable, in schoolchildren. MethodCross-sectional study of 2335 students from Elementary schools, aged 7–17 years of both genders, stratified by conglomerates of a municipality in Southern Brazil. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed by the 6-minute run/walk test. The BMI and CRF were grouped into a single variable, considering: (1) low and normal weight/fit; (2) low and normal weight/unfit; (3) overweight-obesity/fit; (4) overweight-obesity/unfit. The Poisson regression (prevalence ratio, PR) was used for the association between hyperuricemia and BMI/CRF ratio with 95% confidence intervals and differences were considered significant when p<0.05. ResultsThere is an association, although subtle, between the presence of hyperuricemia with low levels of CRF and the presence of excess weight, when grouped into a single variable. Boys and girls with this condition have higher prevalence of hyperuricemia (PR: 1.07; p=0.007 for boys; PR: 1.10; p<0.001 for girls). ConclusionTogether, excess weight and low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with the presence of hyperuricemia in schoolchildren.

Associação entre a obesidade infantil e a capacidade cardiorrespiratória: revisão sistemática

Objective: To investigate the scientific evidence regarding the association between childhood obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: A review was conducted on the literature arising from the search of articles published in the last five years in the databases SciELO and CAPES Journal Portal (Portal de Periodicos da CAPES). The descriptors used were cardiorespiratory fitness, overweight/obesity and children/adolescents/students. The study included full articles published in periodicals in English, Portuguese and Spanish, with publication year from 2010 to 2015, which aimed to predict the cardiorespiratory fitness with use of exercise testing in childhood obesity. Results: A total of 97 articles were surveyed but, after consideration and submission to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, five articles remained, two of them published in Portuguese, two in Spanish and one in English. Of the five articles analyzed, four studies reported that the cardiorespiratory fitness was affected by the body adiposity indexes. Conclusion: An inverse association was observed between the body mass index and the cardiorespiratory fitness, and the overweight students showed lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Abstract 35: In Singletons Born at Term, Lower Gestational Age is Associated with Lower Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Through Adolescence to Young Adulthood: The Northern Ireland Young Hearts Project (NIYHP)

Decreases in the mean gestational age of term deliveries have been reported over the past decade in several developed countries, linked to increases in the rates of planned births by labour induction and/or pre-labour caesarean sections. In contrast to the effects of pre-term birth, the extent to which lower gestation age within the at-term range (i.e. 37 to 42 weeks) affects individuals’ cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) health is largely unknown, however. We therefore examined the association between gestational age, accounting for other important perinatal covariates (obtained from the NI Child Health Services’ records), and CRF (VO 2 max) as measured through adolescence to young adulthood in 842 (51.5% female) participants in the NIYHP (all singletons born at term, 98% of whom with birth weight greater than 2.5 kg). Participants’ mean levels of CRF were 45.6 ± 4.8, 43.7 ± 6.8 and 32.9 ± 9.8 ml/kg/min at the ages of 12, 15 and 22 years, respectively. With the use of GEE analyses adjusted for age, sex, socio economic status, birth weight z-scores (relative to UK’s 1990 reference), breast-feeding practices and duration, maternal age at child’s birth and delivery mode, we found that each week increase in gestational age was associated with 0.44 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.13 to 0.75) higher levels of CRF throughout the whole longitudinal period (p=0.005). Further adjustments for participants’ height, body fatness and maturational level throughout the longitudinal period only attenuated this association slightly [to 0.38 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.12 to 0.65), p=0.005]. There were no significant interactions between gestational age and sex or participants’ age at the time of CRF assessment, indicating that the decreases in CRF over time were similar across the different gestational ages, with those born early term displaying consistently lower levels throughout the longitudinal period. Finally, each week increase in gestation age was associated with lower risk of poor CRF through adolescence to young adulthood as defined according to current age and sex-specific health-reference values of VO 2 max: RR=0.89 (95% 0.81 to 0.97), p=0.008. These findings suggest that lower gestational age, even within the at-term range , may be a key determinant of poorer CRF as each additional week conferred benefits. This aspect may have been neglected by the over-simplistic characterisation of individuals born at-term as a homogeneous group and may have public health and clinical implications for policies around planned deliveries, given the current trends.

The association between high blood pressure, physical fitness and fatness in adolescents.

Hypertension is a health problem that is of national importance. It is a major risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases that are leading or among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity as in ours, as in the most developed and less developed countries. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, blood pressure and hypertension for adolescents. The research was realized on a sample of 4,051 boys and girls at the age of 11 to 14 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a three minute step test, while the percentage of body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Blood pressure was measured three times at intervals of 60 seconds, and the result was the median value of the three measurements. The measurements were performed in a separate room with optimum ambient conditions. The relation between hypertension, cardiorespiratory fitness and fat was determined by correlation and multi-nominal logistic regressive analysis. Boys had higher systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure compared to girls. The low level of cardiorespiratory fitness and high percentage of body fat were independently associated with an increased risk of blood pressure and hypertension for both boys and girls. The interaction was established between the percentage of body fat and fitness. The results should be taken into account for building strategies and recommendations for improvement of lifestyle and health for adolescents.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Evidence.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) has been diagnosed in adolescents and among the associated factors are low levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior over long periods and low cardiorespiratory fitness. However, specifically in adolescents, studies present conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, in order to map the association between physical activity, sedentary behavior, cardiorespiratory fitness and MetS in adolescents.MethodsA search was performed in the databases PubMed, SPORTDiscus, LILACS and the Cochrane Library. For the meta-analysis, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated together with the respective confidence intervals (95% CI), in which the measures of effect were analyzed by dichotomous data (exposure variables) with MetS used as events.ResultsEighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Primary analysis demonstrated that low levels of physical activity (OR = 1.35 [1.03 to 1.79]; p = 0.03) and low cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 4.05 [2.09 to 7.87]; p < 0.01) were significantly associated with the development of MetS, while for sedentary behavior, represented by screen time > 2 hours/day, a significant association was not identified (OR = 1.20 [0.91 to 1.59]; p = 0.20). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the association between low physical activity and MetS was dependent on the use of the accelerometry technique (OR = 2.93 [1.56 to 5.47]; p < 0.01). Screen time > 2 hours/day was significantly associated with MetS only on weekends (OR = 2.05 [1.13 to 3.73]; p = 0.02). With respect to cardiorespiratory fitness, a significant association with MetS was found independent of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) measurement method.ConclusionsLow levels of physical activity, low indices of cardiorespiratory fitness and sedentary behavior, represented by screen time > 2 hours/day on weekends, were significantly associated with the development of MetS in adolescence.

In 6- to 8-year-old children, cardiorespiratory fitness moderates the relationship between severity of life events and health-related quality of life.

In children, the pathways by which physical activity and fitness are associated with physical and psychological wellbeing are still not fully understood. The present study examines for the first time in young children whether high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity moderate the relationship between severity of life events and health-related quality of life. Three hundred and seventy-eight children (188 girls, 190 boys, M age=7.27years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Parental education, gender, age, severity of life events, health-related quality of life and physical activity were assessed via parental questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 20m shuttle run test. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test whether physical activity and fitness interacted with critical life events to explain health-related quality of life. When exposed to critical life events, children with higher fitness levels experienced higher levels of psychological wellbeing, relative to their less fit peers. On the other hand, children with higher fitness levels experienced higher physical wellbeing and more positive friendship relationships when severity of life events was low. A similar moderation effect was found for physical activity with overall quality of life as outcome. Recent stressful experiences alone were not sufficient to explain negative health outcomes in young children. Children with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels experienced lower psychological wellbeing when they were exposed to critical life events. More research is needed to find out whether similar findings emerge with objective physical activity measurements and when critical life events are assessed over longer periods of time.

Importance of Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Clinical Practice: A Case for Fitness as a Clinical Vital Sign: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Mounting evidence has firmly established that low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and mortality rates attributable to various cancers. A growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence demonstrates not only that CRF is a potentially stronger predictor of mortality than established risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but that the addition of CRF to traditional risk factors significantly improves the reclassification of risk for adverse outcomes. The purpose of this statement is to review current knowledge related to the association between CRF and health outcomes, increase awareness of the added value of CRF to improve risk prediction, and suggest future directions in research. Although the statement is not intended to be a comprehensive review, critical references that address important advances in the field are highlighted. The underlying premise of this statement is that the addition of CRF for risk classification presents health professionals with unique opportunities to improve patient management and to encourage lifestyle-based strategies designed to reduce cardiovascular risk. These opportunities must be realized to optimize the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease and hence meet the American Heart Association's 2020 goals.

THE QUANTIFICATION OF CHANGES IN CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS INDEPENDENT FROM CHANGES IN BODY MASS: ILLUSTRATION OF AN ALLOMETRIC APPROACH

Both obesity and a low level of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, in any lifestyle intervention study, it is important to ascertain if any...

Metabolic risk in schoolchildren is associated with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and parents’ nutritional profile

ObjectiveVerify the association between metabolic risk profile in students with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as the nutritional status of their parents. MethodsA cross‐sectional study comprising 1.254 schoolchildren aged between seven and 17 years. The metabolic risk profile was calculated by summing the standardized values of high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and systolic blood pressure. The parents’ nutritional status was evaluated by self‐reported weight and height data, for body mass index calculating. The body mass index of schoolchildren was classified as underweight/normal weight and overweight/obesity. The cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by 9‐minute running/walk test, being categorized as fit (good levels) and unfit (low levels). Data were analyzed using prevalence ratio values (PR). ResultsThe data indicates a higher occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren whose mother is obese (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.23), and even higher for those whose father and mother are obese (PR: 2, 79, 95% CI: 1.41; 5.51). Students who have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity have higher occurrence of presenting metabolic risk profile (PR: 5.25; 95% CI: 3.31; 8.16). ConclusionThe occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren increase when they have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity, and the presence of parental obesity.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in Men and Women in the United States: A Prospective Evaluation From the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study

ObjectivesTo examine the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a large US adult population and to study the effects of hypertension, obesity, and health status on the relation of CRF with SCD. Patients and MethodsA total of 55,456 individuals (mean age, 44.2 years; 13,507 women) from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study, a prospective observational investigation (from January 2, 1974, through December 31, 2002), were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by a maximal treadmill test, and baseline assessment included an extensive set of measurements. ResultsThere were 109 SCDs. An inverse risk of SCD was found across incremental CRF levels after adjusting for potential confounders. Participants with moderate and high CRF levels had 44% (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.35-0.90) and 48% (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30-0.92) significantly lower risk of SCD, respectively, than did those with low CRF levels (P<.001). The risk of SCD decreased by 14% (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.96) per 1-metabolic equivalent increase in the fully adjusted model. Hypertensive, overweight, or unhealthy individuals with moderate to high CRF levels had lower risks of SCD (ranging from 58% to 72% of lower risk) than did those with the same medical conditions and low CRF levels. ConclusionThe risk of SCD in US men and women could be partially reduced by ensuring moderate to high levels of CRF independently of other risk factors and especially in those who are hypertensive, overweight, or unhealthy.

Correlation between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Platelet Function in Healthy Women.

Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) represents a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, and platelets play a key role in the development of this chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between CRF and platelet function. CRF and different aspects of platelet function were assessed in healthy, young, nonsmoking women. Results were compared between groups of low (LF), medium (MF) and high CRF (HF). Measurements were repeated in group LF after a supervised endurance training program lasting two menstrual cycles and obtained results were compared with groups MF and HF. CRF was quantified by maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) determined by an incremental treadmill exercise test. V˙O2max criteria for groups were (mL·min·kg bodyweight): LF < 45, MF 45-55, HF > 55. Platelet activation state and platelet reactivity were assessed by basal and agonist-induced surface expression of CD62P and CD40L as well as the intraplatelet amount of reactive oxygen species. In group LF, basal platelet activation as well as agonist-induced platelet reactivity were increased compared with groups MF and HF. Between groups MF and HF parameters of platelet function were roughly equal despite a pronounced difference regarding CRF. Exercise training improved CRF in group LF and aligned platelet function to levels observed in groups MF and HF, although CRF still markedly differed. Low levels of CRF favor a proinflammatory platelet phenotype. A relatively low dose of exercise is sufficient to normalize platelet function, whereas superior levels of physical activity and CRF do not provide any further substantial benefit, but also no appreciable adverse effects.

Metabolic risk in schoolchildren is associated with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and parents’ nutritional profile

ObjectiveVerify the association between metabolic risk profile in students with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as the nutritional status of their parents. MethodsA cross-sectional study comprising 1.254 schoolchildren aged between seven and 17 years. The metabolic risk profile was calculated by summing the standardized values of high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and systolic blood pressure. The parents’ nutritional status was evaluated by self-reported weight and height data, for body mass index calculating. The body mass index of schoolchildren was classified as underweight/normal weight and overweight/obesity. The cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by 9-minute running/walk test, being categorized as fit (good levels) and unfit (low levels). Data were analyzed using prevalence ratio values (PR). ResultsThe data indicates a higher occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren whose mother is obese (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.23), and even higher for those whose father and mother are obese (PR: 2, 79, 95% CI: 1.41; 5.51). Students who have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity have higher occurrence of presenting metabolic risk profile (PR: 5.25; 95% CI: 3.31; 8.16). Conclusionthe occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren increase when they have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity, and the presence of parental obesity.

Associations of Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Body Fat Content With Pain Conditions in Children: The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study

We investigated the cross-sectional associations of sedentary behavior, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body fat content with pain conditions in prepubertal children. The participants were a population sample of 439 children aged 6 to 8years. Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and pain conditions were assessed using questionnaires, cardiorespiratory fitness using maximal cycle ergometer test, and body fat percentage using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The associations of sedentary behavior, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body fat percentage with the risk of pain conditions were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Children in the highest sex-specific third of sedentary behavior had 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-3.17; P=.007 for trend across thirds) times higher odds of any pain than children in the lowest third. Children in the highest sex-specific third of cardiorespiratory fitness had 46% (odds ratio [OR]=.54; 95% CI, .32-.91; P=.019) lower odds of any pain and 50% (OR=.50; 95% CI, .28-.87; P=.015) lower odds of headache than children in the lowest third. Children in the highest sex-specific third of body fat percentage had 44% (OR=.56; 95% CI, .34-.93; P=.023) lower odds of any pain, 49% (OR=.51; 95% CI, .30-.86; P=.011) lower risk of multiple pain, and 48% (OR=.52; 95% CI, .31-.86; P=.010) lower odds of lower limb pain than children in the lowest third. Physical activity was not associated with pain conditions. These findings suggest that prepubertal children with high levels of sedentary behavior, low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, and low body fat content have increased likelihood of various pain conditions. This information could be used to develop strategies to prevent chronic pain in childhood. Our findings suggest that low cardiorespiratory fitness, high levels of sedentary behavior, and low body fat content are associated with increased likelihood of various pain conditions among prepubertal children. This information could be used to develop strategies to prevent chronic pain in childhood.

Combined Association of Diet and Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Schoolchildren.

Objective To investigate the combined impact of diet and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Chinese schoolchildren. Methods A cross-sectional study among 615 children (354 boys and 261 girls) aged 9.6±0.6years was conducted in Wuhan, China, from May to June 2010. Body mass index, waist circumference, CRF, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and pubertal status were assessed. MetS was defined by the criteria proposed by De Ferranti. Based on data from a food frequency questionnaire, a diet score was created for each food item and then summed. Gender-specific median values were set as the cut-off points for the classification of high and low CRF. Results The highest prevalence of MetS (15.7%) was observed among participants in the low tertile of diet scores and having a low level of CRF. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for MetS was 0.30 (95% confidence interval 0.09-1.00) among children in the medium tertile of diet scores with low CRF, 0.24 (0.07-0.89) among those in the high tertile of diet scores with low CRF, 0.07 (0.02-0.33) among those in the low tertile of diet scores with high CRF, and 0.08 (0.01-0.58) among those in the high tertile of diet scores with medium CRF compared with those in the low tertile of diet score with low CRF. Conclusions Findings of the present study suggest that diet and CRF are synergistically associated with the risk of MetS in Chinese schoolchildren.

Dyslipidemia is Associated with Unfit and Overweight-Obese Children and Adolescents.

BackgroundBoth poor aerobic fitness and obesity, separately, are associated with abnormal lipid profiles.ObjectiveTo identify possible relationships of dyslipidemia with cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, evaluated together, in children and adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1,243 children and adolescents (563 males and 680 females) between 7 and 17 years of age from 19 schools. Obesity was assessed using body mass index (BMI) measurements, and cardiorespiratory fitness was determined via a 9-minute run/walk test. To analyze the lipid profile of each subject, the following markers were used: total cholesterol, cholesterol fractions (high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 20.0, via prevalence ratio (PR), using the Poisson regression.ResultsDyslipidemia is more prevalent among unfit/overweight-obese children and adolescents compared with fit/underweight-normal weight boys (PR: 1.25; p = 0.007) and girls (PR: 1.30, p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of dyslipidemia is directly related to both obesity and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Cumulative incidence of youth obesity is associated with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels and with maternal overweight

Abstract This longitudinal study evaluated the association between the incidence of youth overweight/obesity (Ow/Ob) and low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) over 4 years and youths' and their parents' demographic and nutritional characteristics. The randomized sample comprised 398 youth, aged 7-17 years at baseline, from a city in southern Brazil. Subjects were classified as being Ow/Ob according to international body mass index (BMI) parameters. Parental weight and height were determined by direct questioning. Youth CRF was measured by a 9-minute walk-and-run test. The cumulative incidences of Ow/Ob and of low CRF levels were 25.1% and 20.5%, respectively. Relative to other youth, youth who were classified as "unhealthy" at baseline (with respect to CRF) and by the fourth year were more likely to be classified as Ow/Ob (relative risks: 1.12 and 1.10, respectively). Youth whose mothers were categorized as Ow/Ob were at higher risk of being classified as Ow/Ob than youth whose mothers had normal BMIs (relative risks: 1.19 at baseline and 1.20 in the fourth year). The incidence of Ow/Ob among the former youth was associated with low CRF levels and with maternal Ob.

Lower cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with greater reduction in PTSD symptoms and anxiety sensitivity following aerobic exercise

A well-established body of literature supports the role of physical activity in maintaining mental health. Conversely, lack of physical activity has been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and high anxiety sensitivity. Emerging research has investigated and found promising support for aerobic exercise in reducing symptoms of PTSD and anxiety sensitivity through exposure to feared bodily sensations; however, little is known regarding whether factors such as cardiorespiratory fitness predict who will most benefit from such interventions. We explored the role of cardiorespiratory fitness in predicting reductions in PTSD symptoms and anxiety sensitivity following aerobic exercise. Thirty-two individuals from a previously published trial (Fetzner & Asmundson, 2015) were enrolled in a 2-week aerobic exercise program consisting of six sessions of moderate to vigorous-intensity stationary cycling and were assessed for cardiorespiratory fitness. Results suggested that aerobic exercise was generally effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD and anxiety sensitivity, regardless of individuals' fitness levels; however, individuals with lower pre-treatment levels of cardiorespiratory fitness experienced greater reductions in avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, as well as total, physical, and social symptoms of anxiety sensitivity. With the exception of re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD and cognitive symptoms of anxiety sensitivity, symptom reduction generally decelerated or returned toward pre-treatment levels following post-treatment. Aerobic exercise may be particularly effective in targeting specific symptoms related to PTSD and anxiety sensitivity in individuals with lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and sustained physical activity may be required to maximize maintenance of treatment gains.

A lower cardiorespiratory fitness is associated to an unhealthy status among children and adolescents from Bogotá, Colombia

Several studies have shown that low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a significant independent risk factor for future cardiometabolic disease in adult life. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between CRF and health status in children and adolescents in Bogota, Colombia.A cross-sectional study was conducted in 921 children and adolescents aged 9-17 years living in the metropolitan area of the District of Bogota, Colombia (2,480m asl). CRF was assessed with the 20m shuttle run test (Course-Navette) according to ALPHA-FITNESS and FITNESSGRAM standards. Blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference, body composition (body fat percentage, fat body mass, and fat-free mass by bioimpedance), skin fold calipers, body mass index, and sexual maturity (Tanner) were used as indicators of physical health.After adjusting for sex, age, and sexual maturity, significant inverse relationships were seen between CRF and body mass index (r=-0.107), body fat percentage (r=-0.197), fat body mass (r=-0.159), skin fold (r=-0.246), and waist circumference (r=-0.169); P<.001. Schoolchildren with low CRF levels showed OR 6.06 (95% CI 3.98-9.24) increase in body fat by bioimpedance; OR 4.04 (95% CI 1.83-9.11) risk of overweight/obese by body mass index and OR 2.47 (95% CI 1.14-5.37) abdominal obesity due to increased waist circumference.Approximately two thirds of participants had a CRF level suggesting future cardiovascular disease. Early identification of children and adolescents with low CRF levels will allow for implementing interventions to prevent cardiometabolic disease in adulthood.

FTO polymorphism, cardiorespiratory fitness, and obesity in Brazilian youth.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the rs9939609 fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with overweight/obesity outcomes in youth. This study included 420 youths, comprising 211 boys and 209 girls aged 7-17. Overweight/obesity were evaluated by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and the percentage of fat (PF) according to two skinfold thickness measurements. Genotyping of the rs9939609 polymorphism was conducted using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) utilizing TaqMan(®) probes, and CRF was evaluated through a 9-minute run/walk test, categorized as fit or unfit. Logistic regression was utilized to evaluate a possible association between the polymorphism and CRF, with three obesity indicators evaluated. Individuals with the genotype risk (AA) of FTO polymorphism rs9939609 showed higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, as evaluated by BMI (OR: 3.21; CI: 1.71-6.05), WC (OR: 2.59; CI: 1.35-4.97), and PF (OR: 2.59; CI: 1.36-4.92). Additionally, students with the AA genotype in the unfit model had a significant odds ratio for obesity (OR: 4.40; CI: 1.83-10.61 for BMI; OR: 3.54; CI: 1.58-7.96 for WC), whereas we did not observe associations between the AA genotype with BMI and WC using the fit model. Conversely, PF was associated with the AA genotype only in the fit model (OR: 3.24; CI: 1.26-8.34). This study demonstrated that the rs9939609 (FTO) polymorphism showed a relationship with obesity in the population studied and an interaction with CRF. Students with low levels of CRF and the AA genotype have a higher risk of being overweight/obese. This association was not found in students with higher levels of CRF. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:381-386, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.